Appeal Court adjourns ruling in Ararume, Okorocha suit

The Appeal Court in Owerri, the Imo State capital, yesterday adjourned ruling in the suit by Imo State Governor Rocahs Okorocha against the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Ifeanyi Ararume.

After hearing arguments from counsel to the parties, Justice Hussain Mukhtar adjourned the matter indefinitely to enable pending suits before the Supreme Court on the state’s governorship election be resolved.

Counsel to the governor Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) said: “The matter has been settled once and for all at the Supreme Court. But suddenly, we heard about the matter, which is a pre-election matter. The ACN came to the Appeal Court because it is its constitutional right. But suddenly, Ikedi Ohakim – the former governor – and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed applications for leave to be allowed to appear. The same PDP was the petitioner against Okorocha in the election and the matter has been pursued up to the Supreme Court.

“So, the same people came to be joined in the same matter and we refused. This is based on the law that was available to us at that time. We have appealed against that… We are opposed to it.”

Counsel to Ararume D. O. Madu said: “What has happened is that they said they have an appeal at the Supreme Court and they want the Appeal Court to await the judgment of the Supreme Court. There is no ruling really; nothing has been decided.”